Kurenai 4 Koma No.4
Terrible

Kurenai Sixth Episode
The light above you is shining

Normally I would complain when one on the very few episodes in a short series is filler. I find it’s like the pointlessness of stuffing Turkey with shrapnel and then tying it together with a thin pretence for a plot. However, this time, I think the packed 25.42 minutes of Kurenai (not even an OP and ED) was pure entertainment.

When compared to other rubbish plot devices which evolve into epic singing, primely Buffy the Vampire Slayer with it’s excuse that a demon is making them sing (WTF!?), this was not bad. Benika hires some people to persuade Shinkurou’s insane asylum to participate in a fake musical. Cos…. it’s for lols and kicks, you know? No, really. This is reasonably plausible. Wasting money and screwing around with subordinates fits Benika’s snobbish, commanding profile very well.

At the point where the cast line up for practice, I realise what a motley crew the characters of Kurenai really are. When objectively viewing the characters of Kurenai in this light, who are nonetheless individually wonderful, they are somewhat setup artificially thus exposing Kurenai’s heart as a situational comedy.

Like Will and Grace demonstrates, putting some gays together with straights is guaranteed fun but not alot of wit. Frankly, getting a Goth, a Chav, a reverse-trap and a Loli together to sing, would ensue comedy even at a funeral! But it wouldn’t ever happen.

The reverse-trap by the way, is Shinkurou Kurenai him herself. This character is voiced by a girl, Sawashiro Miyuki, not that I would have guessed it especially after her top quality singing so more credit to the seiyuu is due.

Even though an inspired 2 minutes of song was acceptable quality at best, I still congratulate Kou Matsuo for the effort. It doesn’t feel forced either, at least not in the sense that Macross makes Ranka or Sheryl randomly stage a concert in order to sell moar CDs (to fund the animation of Ranka’s hair, of course).

The original quartet are later backed up by Yayoi, probably the most unlikely reservoir of singing talent since the little mermaid; and Yuuno who is Tsuntsun so can’t sing for cookies, but will still glomp Shinkurou like a nasty rash. But at least then, Shinkurou would be more visible; she comes with a glow-in-the-dark dress. Overall Yuuno was really annoying, she acted like a drunk attention whore the time. The stocks in my opinion for that girl has went down.

~ Teeif

Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion R2 Turn 6.
Surprise attack in the pacific ocean.

I think the Siskon Madman has lost it. Love for his sister’s DFC (and I mean pancake flat) has clouded his judgement and is causing him to take ridiculous risks. The surprise attack was no such thing, Britannia knew about it, and lelouch barely escaped the ambush with Kallen’s Guren as the only surviving unit.

Although Lulu’s attempted abduction of Nunally was foiled by a Guildford’s mass produced evas Lancelots and the three knights of the round, he did at least converse with her. I liked how the tranquil, yet emotional conflict of minds inside contrasted with the violent drama outside. It is somewhat similar to The Empire Strikes Back, with Lulu struggling with his darkside siskon feelings. Nunally is the emperor observing the conflict between Lulu and Suzaku, just substitute the father revelation for a subtext of Nunally expressing her preference for Suzaku, leaving Lulu to scream “NUNALLIEEEEEEEE” as he falls into vacuum.

The idea that Nunally is Lulu’s weak point has become the rule and it may even prove to be his Achilles’ heal. Lulu, with all the verve needed to assault a Britannia escort fleet was flabbergasted in front of Nunally - not the only time I’ve seen this.

Lulu’s mistake today was to trust the Chinese. Everyone knows that the nationalist Japanese producers at Sunrise dislike the Chinese and will do anything they can to make China appear like a back-stabbing, anarchic, incompetent regime!

To be honest, I think Japan is really ambivalent towards nationalism which can often be mistaken for social cohesion and filial piety/loyalty. In any case, analysis shows that Code Geass’ scattergun alternative history is too inconsistent to be a statement of any sort, much less a overtly nationalistic one.

Nevertheless, I will still futilely attempt to prove a case anyway. I call upon Everyman’s favourite Animé stereotype: the Loli.

When you compare each side’s mandatory Loli, you will find that the Japanese one is better than the others. For example, the Chinese Empress is a bit of a crybaby and nowhere near as Lolicious as the Japanese Empress. Meanwhile, the Britannian loli is a heartless Twitter addict with overpowered, monstrously huge guns on her Mech; probably to boost her low self-esteem due being flat, and a geek. The Japanese Empress goes around with a purpose, dignity and some power, albeit she is a bit of a figurehead. In contrast, the Chinese Empress is like the boy-emperors before the revolution: powerless and confined to the ‘forbidden city’ by fugly, castrated, Eunuchs and their annoying voiceovers. Now, tell me which side has is the superior Loli?

The real power in China is still hidden, regardless whoever rules is incompetent, leaving Li Xingke to freely tip-off Britannia as soon as Lulu turns his back. This leaves the question: is China protecting the creation of the United States of Japan or not?

“That Guildford’s acting on his own…” <”But we’re saved”> “But he stole all the merit!”

(11:05) - I love meritocracies :D.

~ Teeif

In this season’s battle of the Shojos, Vampire Knight has become my knight in shining armor, Itazara na Kiss is an enjoyable flirt and Special A gets a special spoon. There is a cool aura about every episode of Vampire Knight and I even like the random fanservice of bishounen Vampires licking each other. Vampire Knight still suffers from points of rubbish animation but hey, it’s a limited budget because the sale of 1:10 scale Kaname figures is limited.

Maybe a Megami Magazine Yuki Cross Poster is relevant to your interests?

It looks like the job of selling toys falls onto Yuki’s shoulders. Unfortunately Yuki’s sense of danger is minutely better than a blind rabbit on a runway. She gets chomped on by Nothing (Sorry, Zero) every other episode. Then, when she bleeds, every vampire in the building can smell it! Weather she bleeds or not doesn’t seem to affect the hordes of random level E vampires assaulting her down every back alley she’s been to so far. Even worse is her complete inability to put up a fight, well, not when there are legions of hawt bishies queuing up to rescue her.

Will she die? I don’t actually know because I refuse to read the manga even while it sits there on a website (that is not exactly called Ichi Manga ;-)) waiting for me to gawk at it’s beautiful images. Though I did risk myself slight exposure to spoilers when I went to fact check the levels of vampire society:

Vampire Society -
A - Pure Blood
B - Noble
C - ‘Normal’ Vampires
D - Human Vampires
E - RWAAR Blergh! Kill!

Pure Bloods to remain pure, must marry each other and apparently marrying your sibling is common. If I was a skeptical person, I would say it’s blatant attempt to create a sis-kon scenario. Oh wait! I am. This is sooo gonna end with lots of “Oni-sama, Aisteru!”

50 word Summaries:

Vampire Knight Forth night
Trigger of Conviction

Yuki gets sucked by nothing so invades Moon Hall to satisfy her masochistic urges. Unfortunately Kaname saves her from being raped by Idou as well, so she goes back to nothing who also runs off to be emo. Poor Yuki.

Vampire Knight Fifth night
Feast in the moonlight

There’s a new teacher for defence against the dark arts ethics, he wears an eyepatch and a stern gaze – a vampire hunter then. Yuki follows nothing’s boycott of his former master, but he chomps Yuki, so Vampire Hunter returns to shoot nothing and save Yuki. Poor nothing.

~ Teeif

Kure-nai Fifth Episode
Wish.

Last weekend gone was a bank holiday in Teh Olde Green Isles, with 3 whole days off work, it’s often a chance to go on short break. Although I would rather sleep off work fatigue, there are some Brits who actually do go outside. Goodness knows why, most will discover that the transport system is retarded and the weather is random, but the most unfortunate of them will discover how retarded and random their in-laws are!

A Sunday according to animu is for families to spend time together, so Shinkurou drags the little one off to visit Yuuno, the virtual in-laws who live a train plus bus ride away in her beautiful house of Zen. Murasaki and Shinkurou’s visit to the Houzuki’s, in many ways, reminded me instead of a horrible trip to the in-laws. Everyone’s formal, awkward questions are mandatory, there is edgy tension, you have a fight with your partner and then your kid breaks something!

Despite Shinkurou and Yuuno having grown up together and Shikurou being an adopted Son, surprisingly, there’s none of the rather-convenient-not-blood-related-cute-sister scenario. This is serious anime! Lesser anime (Yes you, Da Crapo!) would have already milked this situation for “Oni chan, daisuki” till the cow moos. Of course, we later learn that Yuuno belongs to a family of self-confessed killers (Dai Crapo!), so maybe Shinkurou wasn’t so keen to join the family.

Regardless of their official relationship, I think Shinkurou and Yuuno are almost destined to be married. Their little flirts, moments of modesty and embarrassment are so much cuter when Yuuno isn’t being so assertive. Houzuki-sensei certainly approves. Exactly why Yuuno turns to her father when she spuriously decides to follow Shinkurou at the end, I do not know. But he approves :). I’ve warmed up to Yuuno this episode, she was quite aggressive and jealously maternal to begin with, but now I know that her attitude comes from pseudo-sisterly love, she’s pretty awesome. All that, or I just like her Kimono.

A Sunday in the life of Shinkurou Kurenai reiterates the joy of having a slice of life anime of a most unusual life. I’m starting to come round to the perspective that Kurenai is good enough as one of those plotless slice-of-life shows.

This Week’s 4-Koma:
It’s only a game (Click Read More)

Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion R2 Turn 5
Knight of the rounds

Take a break fellow citizenry of Britannia for the rebellion is on hold! Fear not! For the public propaganda service has arranged mild titillation and slapstick comedy to placate the rowdy plebs. Advert your eyes from the open rebellion within the borders of area 11 and never should you let barbarians disrupt your plans to attend the Ashford Academy Suzaku’s homecoming festival. Rest assured in knowledge that last year’s invasion by the Black Knights was a frivolous affair and another gathering the country’s ruling elite is entirely safe. For your protection this year’s festival will be guarded by samurai knights, pizza and cats!

I for one, is among those peasants who actually enjoyed the break from the relentless pace since the first episode. I applaud you, man who came up with a chase scene involving a cat, a roboto, a gay, Godzilla, Asuna Kagurazaka, Little Bo Peep and Lulu (in order of finishing). I even give you plus points for ripping characters from the ill fated Mahou Sensei Negima:

Yue,

Asuna,

and Chachamaru (credit to Kurogane!)

Yes, this episode’s plot can be written on the back of a postcard. No, nothing notable happened beyond the return of Suzaku and Nunnally as the governor. However this episode marks the restoration of Zero’s rebellion to a state close to as it was before the transition of season 1 and 2.

The sides have been reassembled; Brittania holds the initiative by moving Nunally in place but Zero now has a few useful pieces in Rolo and Villetta. For the forseeable battle, it’s Geass V.S. Knightmare Frames, magic against machine, irresistible persuasion against indomitable force. But Suzaku is brewing a betrayal and the king of Brittannia will do well to remember it was Lancelot, Arthur’s right hand man who brought about the downfall of that kingdom.

This Week’s 4 Koma
A new challenger appears!!! (Click read more)

“Rollo, what is the future? The future is hope.” - Lelouch (4:36)
I can only hope there is less faggotry!

Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion R2 Turn 4
Counterattack at the gallows

Lelouch pulls a fast one on Rolo and no Geass was even needed. This is the power of LOVE! In many more ways than one, Code Geass Lelouch the rebellion has made an about turn and has become, well, a bit gay really.

Undoubtedly the largest contributor of anti-hetrosexual behaviour is Rolo the Shouta Fag (being scary makes him little different to transvestites). He overshadows the rest of the cast with an aura of Pink through his is performance, his cockpit drama and his impression of the world renown angst-king, Shinji. Not since Neon Genesis Evangelion have I seen so much faggotry at the controls of a giant mech with big guns.

Battle of the Shota fags:
Shinji	Rolo

Seemly not happy with just being a Sis-kon, Mr Lamperge is ready to take his rebellion and shove it up his little brother’s ass in a bid for freedom and liberty. Rolo was disappointingly powerless against Lelouch’s promises of a family, C.C and buttsex. While Rolo’s sentimental flashbacks and mid-battle emotional turmoil wasn’t actually that bad to watch, it was just a bit lame.

Egotistical domination, mecha and war are characteristics normally considered a male orientated themes for a show and Code Geass has done well so far to stay manly. However, lately the show has been developing some touchy-feel emotive plot and teenage angst characteristics which are more commonly associated with men who are effeminately homosexual. That’s entirely Rolo and his gay little arc. Unfortunately there’s going to be more of this because at one point he’s going to turn and say “OMG Oni-chan, you lied!”

For Lelouch it’s all going well but he’s been lucky, Rolo’s proved to be a moron and Britannia never learn from their mistakes. But his success has not gone unnoticed, we see in the preview that Suzaku is back at the academy. Wait, Suzauku is back? Oh great! Code Geass is definitely gay.

This week’s 4-koma
Is 5pm a watershed?

 
Naruto Shippuden 56 (Naruto 276)
Squirm

They say there is a bullying problem in Japan and that the problem may even be institutionalised in schools and organisations. The Japanese government have perhaps a more difficult problem dealing with discrimination that western countries but at least they don’t have to deal with Narutards.

Narutards are a western phenomena that is causing kids up and down the land to be endlessly bullied because they are stupid and they like Anime (even thought they only watch one). Just imagine yourself discretely discussing Japanese Visual Arts, then out of the blue a Narutard comes over and shouts something that ends with -Jutsu. That’s it! Narutard becomes the bully magnate in the class and you’re collateral. Of course, as the teacher would hopelessly preach to the class, bullying is neither funny nor clever. Too bad no one listens.

In a way, Naruto Shippuden is like bullying; it’s not funny or clever. But it doesn’t listen and keeps torturing you anyway. The fillers are like the Narutard that comes over and ruins your nice life. It’s not alot of fun but you put up with it anyway.

In this episode, basically, nothing happens. Sai sits in a forest and draws Naruto sweating and groaning while training hard. Team Kakeshi Yamoto gets assigned a mission. Blah, Blah, Blah.

~ Teeif

Kure-nai Forth Episode
Talented Person.

While there is no doubt that the loli steals the show with her ability to bring cuteness to a godly level (move over, baby Jebus), even when mortally endangering herself and her minder, there is another rather insignificant character who might deserve some of your attention. What’s his name again? Oh wait, isn’t it on the cover somewhere?

The talented person referred to in the episode title is of course, our versatile supernanny, Kurenai Shinkurou. We finally get some a few pages of Shinkurou’s Biography, despite Murasaki’s efforts to best to make it his obituary!

Despite Shinkurou’s obvious talents for dispute mediation, he doesn’t get paid enough, in fact he seems to get paid far less than Benika-san who drives around in a sports car when she’s not at home in her luxurious home being watched by her lesbian bodyguard. Shikurou, as we know, has to make do with the 1 room condo where the trash never gets taken out. Why is this? Does he owe a debt?

Unfortunately the explanations for the reason why Shinkurou is like the poor-son-of-wolverine has been reserved to tantalise us in a future episode. For now, we have that ever useful narrative tool which I LOVE :(, the flashback.

Previously we’ve seen Liddl Shin lose his parents in some sort of tragic incident involving airport bombings, fire and a mobile phone. We saw how this experience helps Shinkurou relate to Murasaki because she also lost a parent and has a mobile phone. In a flashback, Shinkurou is also in a state of Emo that he doesn’t wish to happen to his plucky little charge. Although I’m not sure he prefers that Murasaki tries to get others killed rather than try to kill herself.

Enter here, Benika, who slightly redeems herself for child exploitation by being the saviour of Kurenai, both physically and emotionally. Benika is responsible for rescuing Shinkurou, and also-ran megane-ko childhood friend Ginko, from err… Terrorists in suits!? Benika is also responsible for introducing Shinkurou to Houzuki-ruu martial arts, and the other childhood friend who’s a bit of a slut, Yuuno.

That’s hardly redemption for you Benika-san, in fact, that’s almost entrapment!

~ Teeif

This week’s 4-Koma:
Who’s the daddy?